VIDEO: 12 charged in Savannah car theft probe

Savannah-Chatham police Sgt. Robert Vonloewenfeldt speaks to the media about an automobile theft ring probe that led to 12 arrests. In all, 32 vehicles were stolen from several dealerships. Marcus E. Howard/Savannah Morning News

Savannah-Chatham police Sgt. Robert Vonloewenfeldt points to a chart that connects suspects in an automobile theft ring. In all, 32 vehicles were stolen from several dealerships. Marcus E. Howard/Savannah Morning News

A four-month investigation by Savannah-Chatham police detectives into the thefts of vehicles from multiple dealerships resulted in the arrest of 12 people and recovery of dozens of items taken in burglaries, thefts and auto break-ins.

Police charged most of the suspects Monday. The charges included weapons offenses, burglary, theft, fleeing to elude and traffic violations. All of the suspects were also charged with violating Georgia’s Street Gang/Terrorism Prevention Act, said Julian Miller, police spokesman.

Sgt. Robert Vonloewenfeldt of the Central Precinct detective unit said more arrests are expected following the initial phase of the investigation.

As of last Saturday, 74 auto thefts have been reported this year by Savannah-Chatham. That is compared to 62 during the same period in 2012 and 55 in 2011. Most of the 32 car thefts from the investigation took place last year, according to police.

Vonloewenfeldt said the 12 suspects caught in the investigation — who identified themselves as the “Hot Boys” — have been responsible for most the larcenies in the Savannah-Chatham jurisdiction. Detectives, he said, are continuing to investigate how they worked together.

Central Precinct detectives, with help from Downtown Precinct detectives, began the investigation after five vehicles were stolen following a burglary at Vaden Nissan in Statesboro, Miller said. Police started recovering the cars in Savannah, some of which were being used by perpetrators of other crimes, he said.

Soon, other burglaries were being committed in Savannah, where keys were being stolen and vehicles taken from premises, police said.

On Nov. 6, two vehicles were taken from Dan Vaden Nissan; two more from Dan Vaden on Nov. 9; nine from Fuller Chevrolet in Rincon on Nov. 20; 14 from Savannah Toyota on Dec. 7; an undetermined number stolen from Grainger Nissan in Garden City on Dec. 24; and one stolen from Critz Buick-GMC on Jan. 3.

Some were recovered immediately, found hidden in parking lots of apartment complexes and along residential streets, Miller said, adding that some of the others were used for crimes.

Police received information confirming the alleged thieves were using them for criminal purposes and, in some cases, selling or leasing the keys to others.

Police recovered all the vehicles, but not before some of them were damaged in crashes.

The investigation also led to the recovery of stolen items, including firearms, computers, large-format televisions, electronic games, iPods, digital cameras and 15 smartphones. Also recovered were prescription pills, cocaine and marijuana.

Police began making arrests Dec. 27 and eventually took 12 people into custody.

The arrests included one of two men in a pickup pursued into Savannah by Liberty County authorities in which a Savannah-Chatham patrol car was rammed and the truck overturned on the Armstrong Atlantic State University campus. A stolen gun and another weapon and stolen items were recovered from the wreckage, Miller said.

Two were arrested after a foot pursuit and police canine search on Critz property grounds, he said.

• Barsheen Lang, 21, of Glenbrook Road: Commercial burglary, three counts of burglary and one of burglary second degree; two counts of criminal damage to property, first degree; two counts of theft by taking; criminal use of an article with an altered ID; possession of drug-related object for use; criminal damage to property, first degree.

• Marvin Bryant, 22, of Marian Circle: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; obstruction by fleeing; three counts of burglary; three counts of theft by receiving.

• Jeffery Williams, 23, of Auburn Street: Theft by receiving stolen property; use of a firearm by a convicted felon in the commission of a crime; fleeing to elude; obstruction; contempt of court; seven counts of theft by receiving.

• Derrick A. McDaniel, 25, no address given: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; theft by receiving stolen property, firearm; obstruction; loitering or prowling; reckless driving; two counts driving with a suspended or revoked license; two counts of leaving an accident while failing to provide aid or information; probation violation.

• Jawyan Pringle, 30, no address given: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; obstruction of an officer with injury; conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act; and two counts of probation violation.